Chapter Eighty-One

When Zhou Yu rushed toward the monster’s corpse, he paused in surprise. Its form was enormous—far more robust than any zombie he’d seen, as if it were a larger, more grotesque version. Scars and rough patches covered its entire body. The bullets Wang Kui had fired were lodged in its outer skin, unable to penetrate.

Zhou Yu clenched his teeth. He thought, “Let’s do this. I’ve survived so much, endured every hardship—I’m not afraid of anything now.” He crouched and swung his Great Xia Dragon Sparrow sword at the giant zombie’s leg, severing it cleanly. Losing its leg, the giant zombie toppled toward Zhou Yu, unable to keep its balance.

Zhou Yu wondered for a moment—was the Dragon Sparrow simply that sharp, or was the zombie just that fragile? This scene was witnessed by Liu Long and the others who had followed him. Liu Long shouted quickly, “Little Yu, get out of the way!”

Before Liu Long’s words had finished, a faster figure darted forward—it was Pan Yuxin. Everyone had charged toward the giant zombie at a cautious speed, holding back just enough so they could react instantly if danger appeared. But unexpectedly, Pan Yuxin disregarded her own safety, lunging straight toward Zhou Yu.

Hearing Liu Long’s shout, Zhou Yu instantly grabbed Pan Yuxin as she rushed in front of him, pushed off the ground, and leaped aside. He had no time to scold Pan Yuxin. Once they landed, Zhou Yu released her and sprang toward the fallen giant zombie.

In midair, Zhou Yu gripped his sword with both hands and delivered a mighty blow to the zombie’s waist, cleaving it cleanly in two. Liu Long and the others ran over.

Liu Long asked Zhou Yu, “Are you alright?”

Zhou Yu curled his lip and replied, “What could happen to me?”

Suddenly, Liu Hu shouted, “Get out of the way!” As he yelled, his right fist struck out. With a loud thud, Liu Hu staggered back several steps.

Hearing Liu Hu’s warning, Zhou Yu and Liu Long instantly leaped backward, moving away from the spot where they had been standing.

Turning back, Zhou Yu and Liu Long saw the giant zombie, now reduced to only its upper body, still alive and crawling toward them.

Zhou Yu swung his sword, severing the giant zombie’s right arm at the shoulder. At the same moment, Liu Long slashed with his Giant Que sword, chopping off its left arm. The giant zombie lay on the ground, howling. Zhou Yu walked over and decapitated it with one stroke.

He took out his Fish Intestine short sword, split open the skull, and extracted a red crystal.

Watching Zhou Yu finish, Liu Long asked, “How did you know there was something inside its head? And what is it?”

Flicking off the sticky slime from his hand, Zhou Yu said, “I don’t know exactly what it is, but this red crystal seems to let people evolve. Nian Yu got her powers from eating one. I’ve encountered mutated zombies before—not this kind, but ones with long legs.”

After speaking, Zhou Yu turned to Liu Hu, “Little Hu, are you alright?”

Liu Hu grinned, “I’m fine, just a fracture—nothing a bit of rest won’t fix. But this thing was really strong.”

Zhou Yu said, “As long as you’re okay. Let’s go back.”

Pan Yuxin walked over quietly, saying nothing, and followed Zhou Yu as they returned.

Back at the convoy, Zhou Yu said, “Wang Kui, keep watch for me tonight. Everyone else, get some rest—it’s over now.”